Leo Messi, 35, led his nation to World Cup victory last month by scoring two goals and a penalty in the shootout victory over France, the reigning Champions, after a dramatic 3-3 draw in Qatar.
“The cup called out to me, it told me: come and grab me, now you can touch me,” Messi told the Argentine Urbana Play radio station.
“I saw it sparkling in that beautiful stadium and I didn’t hesitate” to kiss it, he added, referring to the stunning Lusail Stadium in Doha, where the final was played.
Messi finally lifted the trophy in his fifth and final World Cup tournament, having lost in the 2014 final to Germany.
He also played in three losing Copa America finals before finally winning it in 2021.
“After so much suffering and lost finals, God kept it for me,” said Messi of the World Cup.
He thus became the first Argentina captain since Diego Maradona in 1986 to lift the World Cup.
“I would have liked Maradona to hand me the cup, so he could at least see Argentina champions.”
Maradona died of a heart attack two years ago.
“From up above he gave me strength, as did so many people who love me.”
It is expected that Leo would retire after the World Cup win but the Argentine star has said that he’ll be available for the Copa America in 2024.
In addition, Messi agrees that he has won everything – 10 LaLiga titles, 4 UEFA Champions League, 7 Ballor D’or, 6 European Golden Boot, 6 Pichichi award, 1 Ligue 1 title, 1 Copa America, and finally the World Cup
“That’s it, there’s nothing left, I’ve achieved everything with the national team, with Barcelona, individually,” he said.
